Possible snake bite on my GSPs leg

[pikeyboy]

One of my pointers has been a bit lame for the last couple of days. I thought she'd caught her feet on the stubble. I've had a closer look this evening and found two round puncture wounds about 1/2" apart, which I assume is a snake bite. Picture below.

I guess it's a trip to the vets tomorrow as she seems ok in her self, if slightly more subdued than normal hyper mode.

[bexVN]

Yes, she should make a full recovery but speed of treatment makes a huge difference. There is debate about the use of anti venom (it has its own side effects) but is often used in very severe cases. But the minimum treatment is usually I/v fluids, antibiotics (probably I/v) and antihistamines and nsaids.

Whilst dogs can die from snake bites the biggest risk is actually skin/tissue death surrounding the bite, skin necrosis is serious and again prompt tx will reduce the disk of this.

I have seen a dog die due to the bite not being detected (O'had left the dog lame a few days until he became poorly aswell). I've known of amputations being needed due to the severity of skin death but as I said prompt treatment reduces all theses worst case outcomes.

If it were me I'd be getting her seen tonight.

[CAPP0]

Friends of ours' 1 year Retriever was bitten by (they think) an adder earlier this summer and was very poorly for quite a while. He's fine now but definitely needed treatment.

[pikeyboy]

Thanks for replying bex. I think it was a dry bite as I didn't notice any swelling when I checked her feet yesterday. Does she still need the vets tonight

[bexVN]

boy said:

Thanks for replying bex. I think it was a dry bite as I didn't notice any swelling when I checked her feet yesterday. Does she still need the vets tonight

Yes dry bites are more common this tome of year and,so that is very possible but I wouldn't like to assume.

All I can do is advise as I would do or what I would suggest if a client phoned me at work, I would want to get my dog seen as soon as I suspected a snake bite and over the phone I would highly recommend a client getting their dog seen asap as I wouldn't be able to tell severity over the phone and I know the faster the treatment (if it is needed) the better the outcome.

[pikeyboy]

Right just got off the phone with our out of hours vet who isn't the usual old boy we see. They said it's doubtful it's a snake bite and it's probably something else. Also said she'd be getting much more symptoms than just being a tiny bit lame. In all honesty I think they are talking tosh, I've seen snake bites in the U.S. and that's how they look.

[bexVN]

Hmm, I don't know what to say to that, not sure how they can be so certain when you've described 2 puncture wounds that fit a bite from a snake.

How swollen is it?

Yes you would expect more rapid onset of symptoms but it is not guaranteed esp in a larger breed or a bite that was not a full bite or a low venom bite.

Edited by bexVN on Sunday 2nd August 20:42

[ali_kat]

I'd not be taking the risk based on what Bex has said, I'd be ringing back and insisting that she is seen tonight.

[theboss]

The wound is definitely characteristic of fang marks from a venomous snakebite - I struggle to think of any plausible explanation other than an adder, in the UK.

No doubt you'd have noticed if you observed it happening directly, but can you put an approximate or likely time/place on it based on recent movements?

[bexVN]

ali_kat said:

I'd not be taking the risk based on what Bex has said, I'd be ringing back and insisting that she is seen tonight.

My examples were worst case tbh to explain why I was suggesting prompt tx, 96% of cases will make full recovery but can take time (varying anywhere from 24hrs to a month!) the biggest concern is skin necrosis which will heal but reducing severity by prompt treatment helps.

As a nurse I can only give what I think to be best practice advice and to me that would be getting the wound checked tonight over tomorrow but if the vet feels happy not to rush to see her then I can only assume they've seen enough cases to know better than me . I saw quite a few in my first practice; not so many nowadays.

In the meantime strict rest, no walks at all, exercise can worsen symptoms.

Edited by bexVN on Sunday 2nd August 21:04

[pikeyboy]

Going to door step the vets when they open in the am. I've noticed her being a bit lame when she's been getting up for a Couple of days now. It's not getting any worse and there hasn't been any swelling.

We live in a very rural area mainly arable farming wheat rapeseed etc where my dogs have free running for at least an hour a day. With them combining at the moment this has pushed all the wildlife out of the fields. Being working dogs they are constantly on it.

Bex thanks for the advice.

[ali_kat]

I know Bex, but the Vet hadn't seen it, so how can they make that call?

Good luck this morning boy

[pikeyboy]

Outcome appears all good although I saw a locum as the usual vet and practice owner is on hols. Got some anti bios and a I shouldn't worry about it.

Thanks for all the advice. Here's a pic of the little angel with my bedlington

[bexVN]

[moorx]

Good to hear

I didn't know you had a Bedlington. More photos if poss please....

[ali_kat]

[pikeyboy]

moorx said:

Good to hear

I didn't know you had a Bedlington. More photos if poss please....

More bedlington pics is no problem. She's a great little dog very unkept though, we certainly don't show her although she did win best puppy at Southwell ploughing match😉

[moorx]

Thanks That last one's lovely.

[pikeyboy]

moorx said:

Thanks That last one's lovely.

Yes she looks cute and cuddly, she is to a point. But she's define fly a terrier, eg I feed all my dogs at the same time she'll save some food leave it and run back just to have a fight with one of my pointers if they try to eat it.

[moorx]

Sounds about right